News Coatings Technologies
New PU/PEG-MXene nanocomposites for flexible electronics
A Serbian-French research team has developed polyurethane nanocomposites with functionalised MXenes, offering improved thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance for use in coatings for sensing and EMI shielding applications.
MXene-polymer composites are increasingly recognised as promising candidates for flexible electronics, combining electrical conductivity with mechanical stability. In a recent study, titanium carbide MXene was functionalised with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and subsequently incorporated into polyurethane matrices. The nanocomposites were prepared in situ via a two-step polyaddition method, with soft segment contents ranging from 30 to 60 wt%.
Characterisation using FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM, and XRD confirmed the successful functionalisation and increased interlayer spacing of the MXene particles. The resulting PU/PEG-MXene nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced properties: glass transition temperatures between 48 and 62 °C, decomposition temperatures between 278 and 297 °C, and improved mechanical stability with Young’s modulus values from 8 to 84 MPa. Surface features were also optimised, showing low roughness (11–87 nm) and high water contact angles up to 109°.
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Optimum composition at 50 % soft segment
The most balanced properties were found in the nanocomposite with 50 wt% soft segment content. This material combined desirable thermal, mechanical, and surface characteristics, making it a strong candidate for applications such as flexible strain sensors and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The researchers highlighted enhanced microphase separation and stronger hydrogen bonding within the urethane structure. These findings position PU/PEG-MXene nanocomposites as promising functional coatings for advanced electronic applications.
Source: Pešić, I. et al., Synthesis and properties of in situ prepared polyurethane/PEG-MXene nanocomposites. Prog. Org. Coat. 203, 109158 (2025).
